Does anyone here have a contact with the Veterans Administration?

[TGO David]

The funeral director handling Marswolf's mortal remains has requested assistance getting military dates of service and confirmation of honorable discharge. These things are critical to getting access to the veteran's cemetery.

The Johnson City VA is slow to respond. Perhaps someone here has a contact somewhere (anywhere) with the VA that would be able to facilitate. If so, I need to put the funeral director in touch with them as quickly as possible.

Shannon's last request was that his remains be cremated. Unfortunately due to the fact that his mother is incapacitated and his only other two living relatives have refused to assist, no one can authorize this to happen. Therefore the only option left available to the funeral home is burial and the director would very much prefer that he be given a military burial if it is owed to him.

You may contact me privately or by reply to this thread.

Thank you.

[saintsfanbrian]

We had a post on here relating to Military Records Help with a link to this site:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html

Not sure how helpful they will be?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11531&highlight=Military+Service+Records

[Guest Verbal Kint]

We had a post on here relating to Military Records Help with a link to this site:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html

Not sure how helpful they will be?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11531&highlight=Military+Service+Records

If you have all the info (SS#, DOB, etc), I guess you can technically claim to be either Mars or next of kin. But then you'll also have to submit verification (copies of ID, etc) before they will release the records. That proof may not be accessible by anyone at the moment. Even then... I think it takes 7-14 days for them to provide those documents to you. Possibly longer.

We really need to have someone who can pull some strings and maybe expedite the process along, or knows someone that can get the required discharge paperwork to the funeral director.

It truly is a shame that his last living relatives are refusing to sign the paperwork. Not sure what division there is/was between them, and it's really none of my business, but it wouldn't take much just to sign the appropriate documents and lay a veteran to rest. Pretty selfish not to take a few minutes time to do it, and then be done with it.

Edited September 24, 2008 by Verbal Kint
typos

[deerslayer]

My wife and aunt both work at the VA--I'll make some phone calls and see if I can get anywhere.

[Guest David Waldrip]

Tungsten:

You have email with a contact in Senator Alexander's Tri-Cities office.

If that ends up being a dead end, please call me.

David

[TGO David]

My wife and aunt both work at the VA--I'll make some phone calls and see if I can get anywhere.

Thanks!

[TGO David]

Tungsten:

You have email with a contact in Senator Alexander's Tri-Cities office.

If that ends up being a dead end, please call me.

David

Received and responded to. Thanks, David. I appreciate the effort and will keep you all in the loop.

[BimmerFreak]

David,

Are they planning on a burial with full Military honors?

If so, I was wondering if those members of TGO still in military service would be able to serve as his escort and honor guard.

[TGO David]

David,

Are they planning on a burial with full Military honors?

If so, I was wondering if those members of TGO still in military service would be able to serve as his escort and honor guard.

Full Military Honors is what the director said to me on the phone earlier. I provided him with my cell number and told him to keep me posted on any developments. I need to call and let him know that we've hit a wall locally, and will pass along that inquiry as well.

[Guest unreconstructed1]

the process of getting a military burial can sometimes be quite long. my grandfather was a veteran of world war 2, as was each of his brothers. I remember at the funerals of each of his brothers, he would look over at me rather teary eyed and tell me " one day, I'll have one of those" ( referring to the military escort and gun salute") as soon as he died, the family tried to start the process but ran into several different roadblocks. between his "army birthday" ( he lied about his age on the recruiting papers by 6 months, so the SS# and birth date we had didn't match, we couldn't get copies of his records on time etc. the VA sent him a flag ( folded and laid by the casket lid until time to close it) and that was the only honor he received. I still can't honestly forgive myself for not making sure that he received the proper burial he deserved.

best of luck on helping Marswolf get the honors that he has earned, and sorry that I couldn't be of any help.

[Reservoir Dog]

Tungsten,

I found this on the web. It is the number for the Casualty Assistance at Ft. Campbell. I believe the funeral director needs to call, but maybe someone else could as well:

Active Duty, Retirees, and Veterans in the State of Tennessee: Death of Army Active Duty, Retirees, and Veterans in Tennessee should be reported to Fort Campbell, Kentucky at 270-798-4729, during duty hours and after duty hours 270-798-9793. The casualty representative at Fort Campbell, Kentucky will advise as to casualty assistance and military honors available in that area.

Maybe this will help.

[TGO David]

Thanks... I will forward that information to the funeral director tomorrow.

[deerslayer]

Sorry Tungsten--my wife never returned my call, and my aunt is in the process of moving from Knoxville to Chicago (can't explain that one).

[R1100R]

PM sent

[Guest JavaGuy]

You might have the funeral director give his state representative and senator a call. They (and more specifically, the people who work for them) have contacts in every level of government.. local, state and federal.

Sullivan County..

Senate

Ron Ramsey, current Senate Speaker & Lt. Governor.

615-741-4524

House

Jon Lundberg, House district 1

615-741-7623

Nathan Vaughn, House district 2

615-741-6867

Jason Mumpower, House district 3

615-741-2050

[Almond27]

There is a VA located here in Chattanooga if that is of any help and hope you get it resolved from everything I read about Marswolf he deserves this honor

[Guest canynracer]

I hope he gets his last wish of cremation, but if that cannot happen, this would be the way to go. If it does go like this, please keep us (or me in PM) posted...although I never met him in person, I would like to attend and pay my respects. Like I said in other threads, I felt like I know him, and I learned alot from his posts.

Thanks,

Joel

[Guest gunslinger707]

Has there been any progress on this ??

[TGO David]

It is still in the works. I'm going to close the thread for the time being. We've had a lot of offers of assistance and I think we've made all the progress we can and must just wait it out now.